Abstract
A pioneer in Sjögren's syndrome research, Michael G. Humphreys-Beher died on September 10, 2001, after a prolonged battle with cystic fibrosis. His loss is deeply felt by his friends and colleagues in the field of oral biology. We first met when Michael was attending the International Association for Dental Research meeting for the first time. We established a rapport and friendship that continued through many subsequent meetings, where we exchanged ideas on possible new strategies toward deciphering autoimmune diseases, particularly those manifested in salivary and lachrymal glands. We always argued in good faith and were pleasantly surprised at the outcome of these discussions. Mike always succeeded in driving his point home and opened our minds into thinking about new, unrecognized aspects of oral biology.
Michael was passionately dedicated to elucidating the pathogenesis of the Sjögren's syndrome. He devoted much of his career to establishing animal models for studying this devastating disorder of salivary and lachrymal glands. His major contribution to the field of autoimmune exocrinopathy was the characterization of the NOD mouse as an appropriate model for the study of immunological mechanisms leading to the destruction of salivary glands and the loss of secretory function. He had started elucidating the role of the immunological infiltrates in salivary gland destruction as well as the participation of local glandular processes, such as aberrant protein expression, cell death (apoptosis), and abnormal processing of specific salivary gland membrane and secreted proteins. With these elegant studies, he demonstrated the complexity of the etiology and pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome. Michael was on his way, making fundamental contributions to our understanding of this disorder. He had hoped that identifying these different processes and molecules would help in developing targets and strategies for therapy.
Michael Humphreys-Beher was the first recipient of the University of Florida Research Foundation Professorship in the College of Dentistry. For his work in Oral Biology, in 1999 he received the Award for Salivary Research from the International Association for Dental Research. For an investigator who had been in the field for only about 15 years, these are indeed remarkable achievements. Michael's work will stimulate new investigators in the field of autoimmunity and spur them on to scientific breakthroughs. For all of us who knew him, his short life will be a shining example of perseverance in the face of life's adversities. We also learn from him to appreciate precious moments with our loved ones. Michael was equally passionate about his family. He never missed an opportunity to talk about Emily's work and Monica's achievements at school.
Michael will live in our memories as a kind friend and colleague. We will distinctly remember him as a fighter and as someone who faced life as it was given to him without complaining and never giving up. Michael taught us the importance of the little things in life, a nice conversation with friends over dinner, an evening at the theater, a stroll in a park.